Mechanical linkage for control devices



July 19, 1932. M. E. HENNING v MECHANICAL LINKAGE FOR CONTROL DEVICES Filed May 11, 19251 Lea Z.

Patented July 19, 1932 UNITI-:oA STATES PATENT OFFICE MALCOLM E. HENNING, 0F DES MOINES, IOWA, ASSIGNOR T0 PENN ELECTRIC SWITCH CO., OF DES MOINES, IOWA,

A CORPORATION OF IOWA MECHANICAL LINKAG-E FOR CONTROL DEVICES Original application filed January 27, 1930, Serial No.

The object of my invention is to provide a mechanical linkage for control devices which is simple, durable and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture. My present invention is a division of my co-pending applicaytion on a control switch structure, liled January 27th, 1930, Serial Number 423',6Z 7.

Another object of my invention is to provide a specific form of linkage for an actuating lever and a control lever, the control lever being constrained toward movement in one direction. i

Still a further object is to provide a connection between the actuating lever and the control lever in the form of a bail which is pivotally connected with one of the levers and engaged with a groove in the other one, the control lever being constrained toward movement in a direction for maintaining the bail in engagement with said groove.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the ob'ects contemplated are attained, as hereina er more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is an elevation of a control struc- 32 ture in which my mechanical ployed.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the actuating and control levers, showing the linkage connection between them; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3 3 of Figure 1 showing an end elevation of the linkage mechanism.

On the accompanying drawin I have used the reference character 10 to in icate generally a switch housing. Associated with the switch housing 10 is a pressure actuated element such as a bellows 12. It may be connected with any suitable device for automatically expanding and contracting the bellows 12 because of changes in temperature or pressure. The bellows 12 is opposed by an adjustable spring 14.

My mechanical linkage includes an actuating lever 16 having depressions 18 and 20 with which pointed members 22 and 24 of the linkage is embellows 12 and the spring 14 contact. The actuatlng lever 16 is pivoted to a pin 26 whereby swinging motion is imparted to the actuating lever, dependent uponpressure changes in the bellows 12. The pivot pin 26 1s supported at one end in an opening 28 of the housing 10 and at its other end by a supporting bar 30.

vThe actuating lever 16 is adapted to operate a control lever 32, which in the present instance is illustrated as being a switch arm. It carries a contact 34 for co-action with a stationary contact 36 whereby the control lever 32 is utilized for making and breaking an electric circuit.

The control lever 32 is pivoted to a pin 38 which is supported at one end in a socket 40 1n the housing 10 and at its other end in the bar 30. The bar 30 is suitably connected with the housing 10 by screws 42.

An operative means of connection is provided between the actuating lever 16 and the control lever 32 which consists of a bail 44. The bail 44 has a central portion 44a and pintle ends 4412. The central portion 44a is adapted to rest in a groove 46 of the actuating lever 16 and the pintle ends 446 are pivoted in perforated ears 48 of the control lever The control lever 32 is constrained toward movement in one direction by any desired means, such as a magnet 50. Being constrained in such direction causes the central portion 44a of the bail to remain engaged with the groove 46 of the actuatin lever 16.

The bail connection might be i'erently arranged and a spring could be substituted for the magnet 50, or other changes might be made without departing from the real spirit and purpose o my invention, and it is my intention .to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a structure of the class described, a casing, a pair of movable elements within the casing and an operative connection between said elements comprising a bail having its ends pivoted to one element and its 423,677. Divided and this application. mea May 11, a Serial No. 536,430.

neeaeav intermediate portion contacting with one surface of the other element and means to constrain the contacting'parts toward such contact.

e 2. lin a structure of the class described, a casing, a pair of movable elements within the casing and an operative connection between said elements comprising a bail having its ends pivoted to one element and its to intermediate portion contacting with one surface of the other element, means to constrain the contacting parts toward such contact, said means comprising a magnet, one of the elements being positioned in the magnetic M5 eld of said magnet.

3. lin a structure of the class described, a casing, a pair of movable elements within the casing and an operative connection between said elements comprising a bail hav *30 ing its ends pivoted to one element, the other element having a transverse groove, the intermediate portion of said bail lying in said groove and magnetic means to keep such por tion in said groove.

2l 4. In a structure of the class described, a casing, a pair of movable elements within the casing and an operative connection between said elements comprising a bail having its ends pivoted to one element, the other 80 .element having a transverse groove, the intermediate portion of said bail lying in said groove and means constraining said bail to remain in said groove.

5. In a device of the character described,

35 an actuating lever, pressure responsive means engaging one side thereof, spring means engaging the other side thereof and opposing said pressure responsive means, a control lever pivotally mounted and a connection be- 0 tween said levers comprising a bail having its ends pivotally connected with one of them and its intermediate portion engaging the other one..

6. in a device of the character described, an

es actuating lever, pressure responsive means engaginglone side thereof, spring means engaging t e other side thereof and opposing said pressure responsive means, a control lever pivotally mounted and constrained to- 5@ ward movement in one direction and a bail connection between said levers pivoted to one of them and engaged with the other.

7. dn a device of the character described, an actuating lever, pressure responsive means 5@ engaging one side thereof, spring means enrl gaging the other side thereof and opposing said pressure responsive means, a control lever pivotally mounted and constrained to yward. movement in one direction, a bail con= 60 nection between said levers, one of said levers having a groove for said bailo Des Moines, liowa, d `ril lll, 193i,

NALGQLL E. HENNENG@ 

